The Chartered Institute of Building has revealed the winners of the world’s largest built environment photography competition, the Art of Building.
Belgium‘s Alain Schroeder’s Bricks and Bangladesh’s Azim Khan Ronnie’s National Mosque of Bangladesh received the Judges’ Choice and Public Choice awards, respectively.
Judges selected 15 finalist photographs from more than 1,500 entries. While they picked their favourite image for the Judges’ Choice, members of the public also cast their vote online for the Public Choice award.
Each of the winners will receive a £1,500 cash prize.
The winning photographs
More than 2,000 voters (68% of the votes) chose Khan Ronnie’s National Mosque of Bangladesh as their preferred shot.
The image shows visitors participating in group prayers and they can be seen neatly lined up as they stand, sit, kneel and bow.
Schroeder’s photo was also captured in Bangladesh and illustrates some of the dangerous conditions people work in at brick factories in the country.
Schroeder said: “Bangladesh needs a lot of material to push forward its development and that is why you can see a lot of brick factories in the country – where men, women and even children work in difficult and dangerous conditions.
“The men in the image are covered with dust, transforming them into earth statues, which endangers their health.”
Overwhelmed by ‘incredible’ entries
Saul Townsend, CIOB’s head of communications, who was on the judging panel for the competition, said: “We were once again overwhelmed by so many incredible entries into this growing, global competition – capturing the built environment for all its beauty.
“The winning images are very contrasting, with Azim’s photo showing the true harmony outstanding architecture can bring while Alain’s picture is a powerful reminder that for all the wonder of the built world, there are far too many people – including children – who suffer appalling injuries due to terrible conditions.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who submitted a photograph to this year’s contest and we’re already looking forward to reopening the competition in late 2024.”
